Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (112th Congress)
"I appreciate having the opportunity to speak on this bill as we move forward with the 2012 appropriations process.
"The fiscal situation confronting our nation is of immediate importance, and hard choices simply can no longer be put off onto our children in the name of political expediency. This bill reflects your commitment, Mr. Chairman, and that of the whole Committee, to scour each line of the President's budget in search of savings.
"The bill we have before us works to put the agencies funded by this bill on a sustainable budget path, while continuing to fund assistance to farmers, rural communities and low-income families. Where necessary, we have cut funding for duplicative programs and limited funding for programs that have been less than transparent with taxpayer money. At this time of monumental deficits and skyrocketing debt, we cannot afford to let taxpayer dollars slip through the cracks.
"We have before us today the Chairman's mark of the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bill and report for Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Members and staffs have had 24 hours to review the bill language. Staff has had an opportunity to review the report.
"Our discretionary 302(b) allocation in budget authority is $17.25 billion, and we are exactly at that level. This is a tough allocation and it represents funding cuts across the entire bill.
The House Appropriations Committee today released the subcommittee draft of the fiscal year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which will be marked up in the Agriculture Subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation continues the trend of major spending reductions sought by the Republican majority, totaling $17.2 billion in discretionary funding – a cut of over $2.6 billion from last year's level or over $5 billion below the President's budget request for these programs.
